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X-Rays
X-Rays
We use x-rays to see the internal structure of things, in medicine, security and crystallography.
In this lesson, we will look at x-rays. Which electromagnetic radiation has higher energy than x-ray radiation?
Which statement correctly describes the properties of X-rays?
X-rays are a type of ionising radiation, **** like high energy UV radiation and gamma radiation. All the other waves in the EM spectrum are non-ionising.
An ion is an atom or molecule which has either a positive or negative charge (not neutral). What do you think ionising radiation might mean?
So X-rays are a type of ionising radiation.
This means that they have sufficient energy to detach electrons from atoms or molecules.
What do you think X-rays might be used for? Pick all the options you think are correct.
You can select multiple answers
X-rays are very useful in medicine, because they allow us to see the internal structure of objects, for example the human body.
This is because X-rays pass through the body tissue, but they get absorbed by the bones.
Infrequent exposure to X-rays is not harmful, and medicine uses lower energy X-rays.
So having an X-ray taken is not dangerous, but persistent exposure to X-rays can damage living cells and cause cancer. That's why doctors protect themselves against X-rays, bit the patient doesn't have to.
X-rays can kill living cells, which is of course a danger. But it is actually also useful. How do you think we use that property?
Let's look at how images can be created with X-rays for medicine and security.
In medicine, X-rays are fired through a person's body and the ones which get through are detected by a detector plate.
The denser materials (bones) will absorb the rays. The rays which reach the plate turn the image black.
What colour will be the bones be on the X-ray image?
Why do you think this property might be useful for security too? Pick all the options you think are correct.
You can select multiple answers
X-rays can also be used in crystallography.
What do you think crystallography might be?
X-rays can provide information about the arrangement of atoms in materials.
This allows scientists to study the structure of crystals.
To sum up!
X-rays can be used to create images of the internal structure of objects.
This useful in medicine, security and crystallography.
X-rays have the second-to-largest energy of the EM spectrum and they are ionising.
High intensity X-rays are dangerous, as they can cause cell mutation which can lead to cancer. Frequent exposure to X-rays should be avoided.